BRIAN Freeman’s widow flew back to Highworth from her Spanish home last week to be present at the town’s official thanksgiving service in his honour.

Mr Freeman was the town’s mayor in 2002 and died aged 72 on February 6 at his home in Turre, Spain.

The community gathered at Highworth Methodist Church on Saturday morning to pay its respects.

His friend Phil Baker, who is a member of Highworth Community Church, led the service and there were hymns, prayers and tributes read by Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Swindon branch, Highworth Town Council and other friends.

Around 80 people gathered in the Lechlade Road church for the 10.30am service, with Brian’s widow Margaret welcoming those in attendance. Town councillor Gerry Edwards read a tribute on behalf of the authority, while a recording was sent in by Brian’s son-in-law David Hay, who lives in Spain with Brian’s daughter Rachel and three grandchildren.

Phil said: “The common theme of the tributes was that this was a man who was special and loved people, whose faith in Jesus was evident.

“He was somebody who kept up his positivity even when his condition deteriorated.

“It was a token of the man that people made the effort and gave up their time on a Saturday morning to pay tribute to him.

“It was emotional, but at the same time uplifting. We weren’t mourning in the sense of being miserable.

“It was a very positive service in which we were celebrating the contribution of Brian to the world.”

Phil said Margaret was thrilled with the service and the opportunity to share memories of her late husband, who was best known for conquering the pain of his MS to walk Rachel down the aisle in 2001.

“It’s all worthwhile. You have to consider he had been out of the country for seven years and it is a mark of the impact he had in this country,” said Phil, 66, of The Cullerns.

“When they’re gone they’re normally forgotten, but he wasn’t forgotten because so many people had turned up this morning.

“There was real encouragement to his wife Margaret, who was there this morning.”